Dodgers offense roars for 14 runs, pounds Brewers in getaway win

The potent Los Angeles Dodgers offense roared back in Milwaukee today pounding out 13 hits, including two three-run home runs for Yasmani Grandal, as they defeated the Brewers 14-4  to salvage a split in the four-game series.

The Dodgers broke open a tied game in the sixth inning when Andre Ethier's triple into the right field corner plated Alex Guerrero, who led the inning off with a walk, and chased Brewers starter Mike Fiers. Juan Uribe followed with a chopped bouncer through a drawn-in infield and the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead. Kiké Hernandez then powered a double into the right-center field gap that probably would have been another triple without Uribe in front of him on the basepaths, and both runners scored on Grandal's ground-single into right field.

Grandal's line-drive, second-deck, three-run home run in the eighth inning, followed by an opposite-field three-run shot in the ninth, continued his torrid streak. Batting second for only the second time this season, the catcher was 4-for-4 with eight RBI (tripling his season RBI total) and is enjoying a five-game run where he is 12-for-17 with three home runs and three doubles.

After two walks issued by Fiers and a line drive single by Howie Kendrick loaded the bases in the third inning, Adrian Gonzalez continued his dominance in Miller Park by dunking a single into right center field to score two runs and give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. But after a fly ball wasn't deep enough to score Kendrick from third, Ethier was walked intentionally and Uribe struck out to end the inning with the bases loaded.

Entering this game, Gonzalez had a career slash line of .417 / .504 / .816 / 1.320 in 125 plate appearances at Milwaukee, the highest numbers for any player with at least 75 PA there. However, his 1-for-6 day at the plate lowered those numbers a bit.

The Brewers opened the scoring with a two-out rally in the first inning when Ryan Braun walked, stole second and came home on a ground ball single up the middle by Adam Lind.

But Guerrero immediately tied the game back up leading off the second inning with a 436-foot shot for his sixth home rum of the season.

Carlos Frias ran into trouble in the fourth inning, giving up three consecutive hard hits to commence the frame - a homer to Lind, Aramis Ramirez's double off the wall, and two sharp singles - leading to two runs and a 3-3 tie, but escaped further damage by sandwiching two strikeouts with a fielder's choice by Fiers trying to bunt.

The undefeated Frias lasted five innings, allowing three runs, before being pinch-hit  for in the sixth.

Pedro Baez and Adam Liberatore combined for two scoreless innings pitched before Sergio Santos allowed a run over the last two innings. Liberatore was also allowed to hit for himself for the second time in his short career and he struck out for the second time.

Up next

The Dodgers head to weather-challenged Denver to face the Colorado Rockies in a three-game weekend series. Friday's game is a scheduled 5:40 p.m. PT start, with Brett Anderson to take the mound against Eddie Butler.

Monday particulars

Home runs: Alex Guerrero (6); Yasmani Grandal, 2 (4)

WP - Carlos Frias (3-0): 5 IP, 6 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 6 strikeouts, 1 home run

LP - Mike Fiers (1-4): 5+ IP, 5 hits, 5 runs, 5 walks, 8 strikeouts, 1 home run